Spot weld cutters

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HawaiiDuster

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What do you guys suggest for cutting the factory spot welds? I'm determined to take this Duster completely apart in pieces like the factory put it together. I could have just cut it up with a sawzall and plasma, but wanted to take it completely apart "correctly". Never done it before. The only piece thats been cut out is the trans tunnel, that went with the console when I sold it. Other than that its complete.

So back to the spot welds, what have you guys used and suggest?
 
a spot weld cutter/remover/drill bit is what you want.
 
We use the Blair spot weld cutter's too, 3/8 dia. is what you want, the one's we use, are cutter number 13214, of course you have to buy the arbor separtely and the center pin's too. We also do use the Harbor Freight cutter's.........they come individually ( one complete cutter to a pack) they work great, but the only down side is the center pin is kinda soft, and will bend some letting the cutter wobble around while your using it. You can use the blair center pin's in the HF cutter's, I don't have the part number for them,as soon as I find it I will post it. I have never boke a HF cutter as of this
day, don't know why....... but have not. The shank on the HF cutter is 7mm. The trick is is to have a very sharp center punch to mark the weld for drilling, and also keeping the center pin sharp on the cutter, so they don't run out of the center punch mark. There are all kind's of extension's available to purchase for extending these cutter's to reach down in recessed area's. We been doing this stuff for a long time and can be frusterating at time's, but take a break and think about it, relax, and it will come apart one panel at a time. Good luck!!
 
Blair makes a nice tool. That's what I use. The key I found that makes it a lot easier is to center punch the HELL outta the spot weld so the cutter will stay centered.
 
I used the Harbor Freight spot weld cutters without issue. Just make sure you are drilling as straight as possible. This will reduce wobble and provide a better cut.
 
StrokerScamp said:
Blair makes a nice tool. That's what I use. The key I found that makes it a lot easier is to center punch the HELL outta the spot weld so the cutter will stay centered.
Click to expand...

I honestly never used a center punch. What I did was hold the drill at a good speed (2/3 or full power) and slowly bring it closer to the surface I was drilling. This scored the surface and provided a good starting point so that the bit did not wander.

In hindsight, maybe a center punch would have sped up the process. Never needed it to cut out my floor though. Also, I HATE switching tools. Much better with just grabbing one tool and going to town.

I'll keep the punch in mind next time around for sure.
 
Eastwood sells good ones. I prefer the type without the pilot bit. I don't like the ones that look like a tiny hole saw. Get the kind that is 1 solid bit & is the width of your spot weld. It should have the correct taper on it so the tool doesn't walk when you use it. Center pinch the weld 1st & they work great. Drill only to the depth of the top layer of sheet metal & use a seam buster to separate the panels.
 
Is this the type you're talkin about?

http://www.eastwood.com/spotweld-drill-3-8-pro.html

Lonewolf3165 said:
Eastwood sells good ones. I prefer the type without the pilot bit. I don't like the ones that look like a tiny hole saw. Get the kind that is 1 solid bit & is the width of your spot weld. It should have the correct taper on it so the tool doesn't walk when you use it. Center pinch the weld 1st & they work great. Drill only to the depth of the top layer of sheet metal & use a seam buster to separate the panels.
Click to expand...
 
we use blair as well but you better make sure, your bit is straight and there is no wobble, or else the bit will break as well as the center point.... NAPA carries them so it make for quick re-buys if your in a pinch.....
 
The one i got from Harbor Freight worked pretty damn well! Just dont get the hole saw kit lol
 
napa sells the 3/8's ones, not sure the brand but mine is 3 years old and still works good
 
This is what I have been using. Sorry don't remember the brand or where I got it from. Works good. I like to go around and find the spot welds first "if they can be seen" then take a small drill bit and use that to drill a small pilot hole.
 

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